Our impact

Building Market-Ready Artisan Businesses Worldwide

Read the 2025 Report

Our Story

Read the 2025 Report

For more than five decades, HANDMADE to MARKET has partnered with artisan entrepreneurs to build businesses that are resilient, competitive, and rooted in cultural tradition. Our impact goes beyond short-term sales, we focus on strengthening skills, systems, and market access so artisans can generate sustainable income over time. 

impact at a glance

Since 2012, HANDMADE to MARKET has supported artisan businesses across the globe through training, technical assistance, and market-driven programs. See some of our biggest impact data updated as of December 2025. 

OUR REACH

Training

Market Access

Global Reach

HANDMADE to MARKET works across diverse cultural and economic contexts, partnering with local organizations and networks to support artisan businesses

Countries We Work In Other Countries

We believe that lasting economic opportunity for artisans comes from market readiness, not one-time interventions. 

Our Approach to impact

  • Artisans are entrepreneurs

    We support artisans as business owners making strategic decisions about products, pricing, and markets.

  • Markets Drive Sustainability

    We align training and product development with real market demand, locally and globally.

  • Local Leadership Matters

    Programs are designed and implemented with local partners who understand context, culture, and opportunity.

  • Ethical Data Stewardship

    We collect only the data we need, obtain informed consent, and protect personal information, particularly for the vulnerable populations we serve. We do this through secure storage, limited access and responsible use of all data.

  • Methodology

    We establish clear baselines and follow-up measurements to track changes in income, business practices, market access and community impact. We use what we learn to continuously strengthen our program design.

Stories from the field

Across regions and craft traditions, artisans consistently report increased confidence, stronger business skills, and greater control over their economic futures. From women-led cooperatives expanding production capacity to individual makers launching new product lines, these stories reflect the real, lived impact behind the data. 

“After taking the Artisan Business Marketing course, I learned about preplanning the way we reach out to our clients by making a content plan. I also learned the difference of our target clients and how to approach each type of clients. Most of all I feel more organized and have an effective flow on my marketing actions.” 

— Hanna Riyanto, Owner/Founder of Riani Rattan (Indonesia) 2022 Trainee through ABL

“HANDMADE to MARKET helped me realize it wasn't about where you came from but the quality of your products and how to pitch.”  

— Hildigard Mufukare of Lupane Women’s Development Trust in 2025, HANDMADE to MARKET Member

“[The project] has changed my life. Before, we worked individually in our homes, but now we work as a group, divide the tasks, and finish production on time. Together, we can deliver our products and dream of growing even more.”  

— Lidia Irene May Briceño, Beneficiary of the Manos Vivas 2.0 project

“The grant allowed us to employ two additional artisans and provide them with training on how to use the machines as well as basic knowledge of garment confection. It has also expanded our production capacity and created opportunities for further growth in both production and skills.” 

— 2024 Grant Winner Carina Vasquez, Director of Asociación Cojolya

Alignment with Global goals

Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlined 17 goals and nearly 170 indicators to address the world's most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. While HANDMADE to MARKET does not work towards any single goal in isolation, our mission to support artisan businesses and their communities contributes meaningfully to many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By strengthening livelihoods, expanding market access, supporting women-led and community based enterprises, and promoting locally-led economic growth, our aligns with the SDGs vision for the future.

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

By strengthening artisan businesses and improving access to markets, training, and income opportunities, we help artisans and their communities build more stable and diversified livelihoods that support their households and reduce economic vulnerability.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Many of the artisan businesses we support are women-led or women-majority. Additionally, handicraft often provides means of income for women as this work can be done within their home where other employment opportunities are not available. Our programs focus of women’s economic participation, leadership and decision, making power within their businesses, families and communities.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Through our alliances and partnerships with local CSOs, we strengthen local initiatives that improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Beyond enterprise development, we work alongside community leaders to advance sustainable water management, improve water quality, and increase local participation in the stewardship of water resources.

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

We support artisans as entrepreneurs, improving business skills, product development, and market readiness while promoting fair, dignified, and locally rooted work opportunities.

Reduce inequality within and among countries

By working with indigenous, rural, refugee, and historically marginalized artisan communities, we help reduce barriers to economic participation and connect producers to markets that are often otherwise out of reach.

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Through supporting artisan enterprises that prioritize small-batch production, recycled and natural materials, and efficient use of local resources, we promote more responsible and sustainable production models. In our Alliance projects and partnerships, we also strengthen community-led waste management and environmental initiatives that reduce water and encourage more sustainable consumption practices.

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Our impact is made possible through collaboration, with artisan groups, local partners, designers, donors, and local governments. These partnerships amplify reach, strengthen local capacity, and support long-term change.